I couldn't for the life of me figure out why a braid-out wouldn't work on my hair. I thought I had pretty healthy hair (my ends were trimmed, I mean) and I THOUGHT I was using the correct product. I always started out on dry, old flat ironed hair.
Well...turns out I was wrong on both. First, I was relaxed or transitioning when I started again with trying braid outs- which is a recipe, to me, for disaster. My hair was just too straight and had no "holding" texture. I tried the style wet and dry and could not get any success.
Second was product. I was using just conditioner, then just gel, and finally a combination of the two. And another thing I was doing wrong was lightly spraying my hair with water then adding product. Fail, fail! The best way to me is the dampen your hair with the product, finger detangle, then braid- that way, you ensure the hair is covered with product.
The success came when I finally braided my hair in 5-6 braids going back and leaving a little of the end out (2 inches-ish) and placing a satin covered roller on the end- once I became fully natural. Covered with my Ebonnet satin bonnet and went to sleep. In the morning, I placed some jojoba oil on my hands, untwist, put on my headband and DO NOT SEPARATE ANY FURTHER OR TOUCH YOUR HAIR. I can't stress this enough as it makes your hair frizzy- I know its hard but don't do it. I look a little funny with my separated unraveled braids for about a half-hour- or at least while I'm in the car on my way to the subway but by the time I step into the subway doors-the separation has miraculously moved together and all is right in the my hair world. I now get a least 1-2 compliments on my braid-out style.
For product, I used a creamy holding product Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie- the smell is just ok- but it works great on my hair. My braid out is defined and soft with hold. Funny- I used to be crazy protein sensitive when I was relaxed but this product -which has some protein- makes my hair soft and manageable.
What products do you use and what's your braid-out technique?
